Psychology is the science of mind and behavior. It investigates how and why organisms engage in the behaviors and thought-processes they do. The topics of investigation range from the life sciences to the social sciences, and applications occur in clinical, research, industrial, community, and other social contexts.

A career in psychology usually requires a graduate degree. An undergraduate major in psychology can serve as a prerequisite for graduate study in psychology or as background for other careers, e.g., business, law, medical or allied health sciences, and teaching. A major in psychology also can serve the general interest of liberal arts education. The department maintains reference materials, including audio/visual material and an Internet website to assist in career advisement. Students wishing to be psychology majors must first be advised by The Office of Academic Assistance in the College of Arts and Sciences.

B.A. in Psychology and B.S. in Psychology

Major Eligibility Requirements

Effective fall semester 2014, to be eligible for the Psychology major and to enroll in 3000 and 4000 level Psyc courses, students must fulfill the following requirements:

Complete all courses with the Psyc prefix designated in Psychology’s Area F and

Earn a 2.3 grade-point average in all Psyc courses counting toward the Area F requirements (with a minimum grade of “C” in PSYC 1101). This GPA will be calculated based on the first attempt at Georgia State University at PSYC 1101 and the first two Psyc Area F courses taken. WFs counts as an attempt. Ws do not count as attempts. Transfer students who transfer these course(s) into Georgia State, may use the grades in the transferred course(s) to calculate the GPA or they may attempt them once at Georgia State.

If a student has a grade of K in PSYC 1101, the GPA will be computed based on the other two courses.

Once students are eligible to take 3000- and 4000-level Psychology courses, they remain eligible to take them as long as they are eligible to enroll at Georgia State University and satisfy other psychology program requirements.

This requirement applies to students entering or re-entering the university in fall 2014 or thereafter, or to students who choose to follow the Psychology program requirements in the undergraduate catalog for 2014-15 or thereafter.

Students in majors other than Psychology, including those minoring in Psychology, may enroll in 3000- and 4000-level courses as long as they meet any pre-requisites for the specific course.

College and University Degree Requirements

In addition to the Major Eligibility Requirements for Psychology, students must fulfill the College of Arts and Sciences Degree Requirements (see section 3030) and the University Degree Requirements (see section 1400).

B.A. Degree

Students must take a foreign language and six additional hours from courses in Area E. (See “World Language Requirement for B.A. and B.I.S. Majors,” previously described.)

B.S. Degree

Students must take nine semester hours from the courses listed below. We strongly recommend a two-course laboratory sequence in Principles of Biology, Introduction to Chemistry, or Introduction to Physics.

* Psychology majors must have a 2.3 grade-point average in the first attempt at PSYC 1101 Intro to General Psychology and the next two Psychology Area F courses attempted (with a minimum grade of “C” in PSYC 1101) to be eligible to take 3000- and 4000-level Psyc courses. Only the first attempt at these three courses is considered in computing Area F GPA (see Major Eligibility Requirements).

Area G: Major Courses (32)

The Department of Psychology offers a general program in psychology plus concentration in specific areas of psychology. The general program offers the most choice in courses for a degree in psychology. Concentrations have more restrictive curricula than the general program and are intended to prepare students for a specific career path. Most students will be in the general program. Students planning graduate school or other advanced training in an area related to one of the concentrations should consider applying for admission to that concentration.

Program Academic Regulations

Before taking upper-division courses, students must have completed 60 hours or have the permission of the instructor.

All majors must complete the courses in Area G, as specified below. Concentrations have specific requirements (for more details see the concentration requirements that are listed after the area requirements). Majors who meet the requirements in Area G and do not choose to pursue a concentration will graduate in the general program.

General Program in Psychology (32)

Required Methodology Courses (8):
These required methodology courses must be completed by the end of the junior year (90 hours). Students with 90 hours who have not completed both methodology courses may not register for any other psychology courses. To insure that this requirement is met, students should take Psyc 3510 (a prerequisite for Psyc 3530) during the second semester of the sophomore year. Failure to complete these courses in a timely manner may delay graduation. Additionally, students who are unable to pass either Psyc 3510 or Psyc 3530 with a grade of C or better in two attempts shall not be permitted to repeat the course or to enroll in any departmental courses for which the course is a prerequisite.

Psychology majors wishing to graduate in a concentration must meet the requirements for graduation listed below. They also must meet all general program requirements listed above. Students must complete all lower-division requirements prior to beginning a concentration. Students completing a concentration will receive a certificate and will have an appropriate annotation placed on their transcript.

Community Psychology Concentration (32)

Community Psychology is an area of psychology that aims to apply psychology toward improving the well-being of human groups. An ecological perspective, a prevention orientation, and an appreciation of diversity characterize this area. Often community psychology takes the form of “action research” in which knowledge gained from basic research or psychological theory is applied in real-world settings. At other times it takes the form of relatively more basic research on social problems or community functioning. The concentration is most appropriate for students who want to apply psychology theories and methods to solving social and environmental problems, such as drug abuse, homelessness, and violence. The curriculum should prepare graduates either to pursue graduate education in community psychology or to work in community-based organizations.

Students interested in attending medical school are advised to consider the pre-medicine concentration. Those wishing to pursue this concentration should be aware that the requirements will differ from those listed in the regular psychology curriculum. The Department of Psychology has a pre-medicine adviser. For more information on the pre-medicine curriculum contact the Office of Academic Assistance, College of Arts and Sciences, Room 418, Langdale Hall, 404/413-5000.

Area H: Minor and Additional Courses

Students majoring in psychology are not required to take a minor.

Minor in Psychology

Students who wish to minor in psychology must take 15 hours in courses in psychology including at least nine semester hours at the 3000 level or above. Students taking more than 15 hours in courses in psychology may count the additional hours toward their electives or may consider completing a double major. (A grade of C or higher is required in all courses counting toward the minor.)

Critical Thinking Through Writing Requirement

As of summer 2015, all students are required to complete one Critical Thinking Through Writing (CTW) course as part of the major. The university formerly required two CTW courses. Students following previous catalog requirements who have passed one CTW
course in the major should consult with their senior academic advisor to determine which courses may be used as a substitution for the other formerly required CTW course. Information on senior advisement in the Office of Academic Assistance is available atcas.gsu.edu/undergraduate/senior-advisement-90-credit-hours/.

Honors College and Psi Chi

The department participates in the Honors College and sponsors a chapter of Psi Chi, the national honor society in psychology. Qualified students are encouraged to participate in these programs. The diplomas of students who complete the University Honors College indicate that they graduate with honors in psychology.

Graduation with Distinction in Psychology

Departmental distinction is separate from the Honors College. Faculty members may nominate majors who have an overall average of at least 3.5 and who have demonstrated outstanding research, leadership, or service to the department for graduation with distinction. More information about graduation with distinction is available in the department.

Students should consult the department’s website to learn about extracurricular activities than can enhance the psychology major experience.